Simon Fraser University (SFU) is partnering with Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre to advance the cleantech industry in British Columbia and beyond. A recently announced memorandum of understanding (MOU) focusses on shared areas of opportunity in cleantech development through SFU Innovates.
The partnership will involve creating a new research program under the leadership of professor Mark Jaccard of SFU’s School of Resource and Environmental Management, and professor Elicia Maine, special advisor on innovation to SFU’s vice-president, research and international, and the VanDusen Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
An applied research study will help Canadian companies in emissions intensive trade exposed (EITE) industries transition to cleantech and help inform climate policy. The project is funded by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) with Foresight as the industry partner.
Other areas of collaboration will include advancing energy solutions from lab to market, job creation and engaging professors and students in cleantech issues and solutions.
According to Maine, the partnership will help to address global environmental challenges by developing technology, policy, and innovation research, while educating and mentoring clean technology innovators. “This partnership exemplifies SFU’s commitment to engagement in creating sustainable innovations that benefit society.”
SFU has established expertise in clean technology and materials science, and is recognized as a global leader in the fuel cell science and technology.
Other SFU commitments to sustainability include:
- The Renewable Cities program and a new regional Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) Innovation Centre that is being established in Vancouver.
- SFU’s School of Sustainable Energy Engineering offers an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to become global leaders in cleantech. The Surrey campus’ new building which hosts the program recently earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification—one of LEED’s highest ratings—in recognition of its sustainable design and operations.
- Beedie’s Invention to Innovation entrepreneurship program helps scientists and engineers commercialize their inventions and overcome marketplace challenges.
- The university launched its five-year sustainability plan in March, 2020.
For further information, click here: SFU Innovates
